I just wrote this huge Q&A; questionnaire for some portal , read it if u find it useful
1. Can you please provide the paper structure for TISS?
Written Test: The Written Test is in two parts
Part 1 is the common objective test for all the programs which consists of 3 sections:
(1)General awareness/Knowledge about current/contemporary social issues
(2)Analytical/Logical reasoning and quantitative ability
(3)Verbal Reasoning
The duration for part is 45 mins and 50 questions are present . There is no sectional cut off and no Negative marking in this section
Part 2 Is program Based and happens on the same day as Part1. The part2 test for different programs (Like HR, Social Work Etc) happens sequentially and timings would be mentioned in the admit card
So candidates who applied for multiple courses should be ready for marathon session
The Part 2 for HRM & LR program tests the following areas:
Section 1: Data Interpretation
Section 2: Data Sufficiency
Section 3:Reading Comprehension
Section 4:Business ,Economy & Social Affairs
The duration for Part2 is 60 Mins and 75 questions are present. The weightage for part2 is 75% in written exam Score (which is calculated cumulatively for part1 and part2 for 70 marks)
There is no sectional cut off but Negative Marking (1/4 marks for wrong answer) is introduced this year
2. How does one prepare individually for each section in the TISS examination?
The Level of questions in Paper 1 is very primitive and any one preparing for competitive exams can easily solve quant,Verbal and Analytical Reasoning questions.For General Awareness section , a regular reading of news paper is enough . But for those who do not have such good habits GK capsules which would be released by institutes like TIME,CL would be helpful (Paper 1 is common for Non Management courses like Social work,Development Studies etc , so the level of paper would be generally low)
For Paper 2 , practicing speed mathematics , solving Data interpretation sets (Easier types) and practicing Reading Comprehension passages (Long passages with mostly straight forward questions) would help.
For Business ,Economy & Social Affairs section , solving Online Quizzes on these topics would be of some help.
3. What is the ideal strategy for TISS?
The major constraint in TISS paper (especially for Part2 ) is TIME. There are plenty of easy questions in the paper. The trick is to keep a cool head and try to maximize the score in the Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency and Reading Comprehension Sections. The last section (Business,Economy & Social Affairs) is weak link for every one and with the introduction of negative marks more care should be taken in answering the questions in this section. Since there is no sectional cut off and relative performance is considered there should not be much worry
4. Which are the best sources of preparation for the TISS paper?
Any course material of coaching institutes or by famous authors should be sufficient . Enough practice should be done so as to use the time effectively in the exam. For those preparing for other management tests , no separate preparation is required except for the last section. Solving the model paper uploaded in the site
https://admissions.tiss.edu/# should give one a fair idea of the exam
5. How many aspirants appear annually for the TISS paper? How many are shortlisted for the next stage?
This information is not available with me . But for an estimate around 12000 people (for all the courses together) appeared last year . Majority of them do appear for HRM & LR course
The interview calls are generally given in the ratio of 1:10
The above figures are estimates and should not be considered as official numbers
6. Can you please provide information on the GD-PI structure at TISS?
The total score of evaluation for TISS is 170 Marks
Written Test: 70 (75% weightage for Part 2 and 25% for Part 1)
GD: 30
Personal Interview: 70
The GD for HRM & LR course is for 30 minutes . In the first 15 Minutes, Candidates will be asked to prepare a write-up on the topic/caselet given for discussion and then they will be engaged in GD on the same topic
The Personal Interview would generally be a Panel interview and the suitability of the candidate for the course applied would be tested. For candidates who applied for HRM & LR course basic understanding of the HR function is tested
7. Which are the best resources for preparing for the TISS GD-PI?
For GD: Generally the GD topics revolve around the HR issues. For Ex: A scenario of an HR issue in a manufacturing plant is presented and the candidate would be asked to come out with solution as HR head for the company.
The Case studies presented in the Harward Business Review books would be quite helpful
Also reading the blogs of famous HR personalities like Vivek Patwardhan would help immensely
Welcome to My Home Page - Vivek S. PatwardhanFor Personal interview reading the different HR functions in an organization , Current labour issues , Basic Labour laws and also clarity on Why TISS would help
8. Can you please provide more information on the field-work that every student at TISS undertakes?
Field work is the integral and unique strength of TISS. It is the only institute which provides both theoretical & Practical experience all throughout the course for management students.
For the first 2 semesters, students are sent to different organizations (not more than 2 students are sent to same organization) 2 days every week to implement what they learn in the classrooms. The students are evaluated by internal guide as well as company guide
In the last 2 semesters(ie during 2nd year) the students spend 1 month each semester (As part of block field work) in the organizations across India .
Also they spend 1 month with an NGO towards the end of second year
Apart from these, every student undergoes compulsory, Non evaluative summer internship during 2 months after completion of 1st year
So effectively every HR student in TISS completes 6 internships by the end of course
Field works contain 24 credits out of total 88 credits which shows the seriousness shown by institute towards field work .
Also the recieving of final jobs (FieldWork Placement Offer) for the work done in fieldwork organisations shows the efforts put by students
The Institute would provide complete support in identifying the organisations for Field work. There are Many known Multinational companies which take TISS students as Field work interns
9. Can you please provide an insight into the profiles being offered to students at TISS?
TISS HRM & LR Post- Graduates are amongst the most sought after in HR fraternity. They occupy postions of leadership across a wide spectrum of industries and sectors including, IT/IteS, banking & finance,telecom,manufacturing,public sector,pharmaceutical, retail and Management consultancy
The Average domestic stipend of INR 92700 and median stipend of INR 100000 in the recently concluded summer placements for the batch of 2011-13 shows the respect of HR course at TISS in the industry
10. What is the process for lateral placement at TISS?
The lateral placements generally happen towards the last week of December for all the eligible candidates (The eligibility criterion varies from company to company) and final placements happen in the first week of January
11. TISS provides a MA in HR. How does this vary from a PGDBM or MBA in HR?
From the curriculum point view or the placement point of view having an MA degree is no where a disadvantage. Companies (Including Government organisations) treat it as equivalent to MBA degree. So degree (MA )need not be a concern
